The planet Cybertron, once a planet of vast resources and tranquility now has become a dying planet, a casualty of the war between its inhabitants the peace-loving Autobots and the power-hungry Decepticons. Their story begins thousands years in the past on the outskirts of the Decepticon Capital City Kaon, a small group of Autobots are searching for a small research lab.  The group consists of seven autobots; Mission leader Roadbuster a large bulky robot that has fought many battles in the war against the Decepticons, Kup the crafty war veteran, Hot Rod a young ambitious warrior who shows great promise, Blurr the fastest robot in the Autobot Army, and the Triple Changers Sandstorm the scout, Springer the enforcer, and Tracks the warrior. The autobots are approaching the Decepticon lab in which a new energy generator is being stored. Roadbuster breaks the silence, "Sandstorm transform and scout the labs defenses." "No problem sir," replies the eager Autobot. Sandstorm then transforms into a cybertronian helicopter and takes to Cybertron's night sky. Hundreds of astroseconds pass before he returns. Sandstorm transforms back to robot mode and reports, "Roadbuster there appears to be two squadrons of Seekers guarding the lab led by Sunstorm." The young autobot Hot Rod yells out in excitement, "That’s nothing lets storm the lab, grab the generator, and get back to Iacon." Springer and Tracks seem to agree but Kup counters, “Not so fast lad we need a battle plan first." Roadbuster the speaks, " Hot Rod, Springer, Tracks and myself will lead the assault, with Kup and Sandstorm following behind providing cover fire for Blurr to grab the generator and get out of there quickly and back to Iacon." The jittery Blurr utters, "IdontknowabouthtisRoadbusterUltraMagnusisntgoingtolikethis." Hot Rod replies, "Calm down Blurr, we will get the job done in no time, plus I could take 6 seekers myself." He then nudges Kup and says, "Come on old timer let’s get the party started." Kup mutters, "Old Timer? That’s something you'll never be you turbo revving young punk." Roadbuster interjects, "Let’s get a move on.  Blurr don't forget, grab the generator and get out of here, don't worry about us we will be fine." Blurr nods and the group transforms into their vehicle modes and head towards the lab. The autobots enter the facility according the plan, but the Decepticons meet them with guns blazing. Decepticon squad leader Sunstorm yells out to his wingmen Downpour and Raindance, "Destroy the autobots." The seekers respond by continuing fire at the charging autobots.  Suddenly, Roadbuster transformers and engages Sunstorm, "Long time no-see Sunstorm." "Not long enough", replies Sunstorm. Tracks, Springer, and Hot Rod follow the plan taking on the other two decepticons. However, three seekers emerge from behind energy generator: Thrust, Dirge, and Ramjet. That is when Kup and Sandstorm hit the scene pinning the Decepticons down. Then in an instant, Blurr runs through the battle and grabs the generator. In the blink of an optic sensor Blurr turns and transformers into a cybertronian racer and heads for the door. The Decepticon Thrust breaks through the autobot force and pursues Blurr by transforming into a cybertronain jet. Outside the lab, Blurr races to autobot territory with Thrust in hot pursuit firing and screaming, "You will not get away from me autobot." Blurr can't seem to shake the speedy jet so he sends a transmission to Iacon, "ComeinIaconthisblurr. Ineedassistancenowgotadecepticononmytailinpursuitofthecargo." A voice comes in over Blurr's radio, "Blurr this is Prowl, I am sending some support just hold on." "Thatseasyforyoutosay", replies the jittery autobot. Then out of nowhere two cybertronian racers appear, one red and one yellow. The yellow one shouts, "This is what I am talking about Sideswipe." Sideswipe replies, "Take it easy Sunstreaker we got a job to do." Then the pair transforms and opens fire on Thrust. The decepticon uses a few aerial maneuvers but his wing is clipped by the autobots fire. "Got him!!!!” yells Sideswipe. "Show off", mutters Sunstreaker. Blurr then speeds by the two and they transform to serve as Blurr's escort to Iacon.  Blurr nears Iacon and transmits to Prowl, "Openthedoori'mhere." Then the great gate of Iacon opens and Blurr is finally safe inside the Autobot Capital. Blurr then gives the generator to Prowl who states, "Great job Blurr, I got to get this to Wheeljack and Perceptor on orders of Optimus Prime." "Whatabouttheothers", replies Blurr. "I just received a communication from Roadbuster; the others are coming home with minor damage." Prowl then proceeds deeper within Iacon towards the Autobot Shuttle. "Prime we got the generator", states Prowl. Then a large robot steps forwards and says, "Excellent work Prowl, this is exactly what we need to finish the shuttle, go into the shuttle and give the generator to Wheeljack so he can install it to boost the hyper drive then report back." "Yes sir", replies Prowl. Then the larger autobot called Optimus Prime turns and speaks to the other two robots near him. "Ultra Magnus, Alpha Trion with the report we received from Countdown and the Astrobots we can launch for the planet called Earth, where we can get the resources we need to stop Megatron." The tall white blue and red autobot named Ultra Magnus speaks, "But Prime, Cybertron will be lost in your absence." "It is in more than capable hands with you my old friend until I return", replies Prime. "I agree, you under estimate yourself Ultra Magnus, but Prime must go our race depends on it," states the elderly autobot Alpha Trion. Just then the autobot Prowl returns from the shuttle, "Wheeljack says the part will take 100 breems to install Prime." "That's great news. Prowl, I want you to assemble a crew for this shuttle to accompany myself on this expedition, with you serving as my second in command." "No problem Prime, I know just the autobots for the job", replies Prowl. "Good, I will join you shortly to address the team."  Unnoticed to the Autobots, a small flying object departs from Iacon and flies back towards Kaon. Back in the City of Kaon, Sunstorm reports back to the mighty Megatron, leader of the decepticons, "Mighty Megatron the autobots took us by surprise and took the generator." Hearing this news Megatron rises from his throne and walks towards Sunstorm. As he approaches Sunstorm he walks by some of his finest warriors, Starscream the aerospace commander and leader of the seekers, Shockwave the cold and calculating military commander, and the communications officer Soundwave. Megatron then speaks to Sunstorm, "Get out of my sight"; he then turns to Starscream "Starscream, why did that pathetic piece of trash report to me when you were suppose to be guarding that generator." Starscream replies, "I was not made for guard duty Megatron so I assigned it down the ranks." "Your leadership skills are questionable at best and you will do as you are told. That generator was going to enhance the hyper drive of the Nemesis so I can take my army to the stars, luck for you; Shockwave has already produced another generator." "Shockwave this Shockwave that, I am sick of hearing about Shockwave," complains Starscream. Shockwave then speaks, "I anticipated the autobots wanting the generator and prepared by producing a backup but it used the last of the remaining energon." Soundwave then interjects, "Laserbeak returns Megatron." The small flying object that come from Iacon transformers into a tape and goes into Soundwaves chest cavity. "Play back Laserbeak's findings", commands Megatron. The decepticons then listen to the recording of Optimus Prime telling Ultra Magnus about Earth. Megatron's optics flare and he says, "You will get the chance to redeem yourself Starscream, you will accompany Soundwave and myself to this Earth. Shockwave you will guard Cybertron in my absence, Starscream organize a team." "As you command mighty Megatron", states both Starscream and Shockwave.  Several breems pass as Megatron walks onto the bridge of the Nemesis and demands a roll call of his team. Soundwave begins, "Megatron, Starscream has assemble the following warriors; Thundercracker and Skywarp his wing mates, Barricade, Lugnut and Detour ground forces, and the Constructicons: Scrapper, Hook, Bonecrusher, Long Haul, Mixmaster, and Scavenger. I have recruited two additional warriors, Lieutenant Commander Cyclonus and Scourge the Tracker. We also have access my cassette forces." "Excellent Soundwave you never fail me." The tall and sleek robot Cyclonus then bows and speaks, "It is a pleasure to serve you on this most urgent mission Lord Megatron." Megatron nods at Cyclonus and then at Soundwave in approval. "Starscream doesn't look to happy Warp", mutters Thundercracker in the background to Skywarp. Starscream shots his wing mates a menacing look and mouths, "Shut up you two idiots." Megatron then takes the controls and states, "We will wait till the autobots launch and then we will follow them to this Earth, destroy them and take all of Earth's energy for ourselves." All the Decepticons rally around these words except for Starscream. 

The scene then goes back to Iacon, where the Autobots are being introduced to their Commander Optimus Prime by military strategist Prowl. The autobot crew includes 20 other autobots: weapons specialist Ironhide, medic Ratchet, engineer Wheeljack, commandoes Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, gunner Bluestreak, defensive strategist Trailbreaker, cultural expert Jazz, sniper Mirage, scout Hound, warriors Bumblebee, Windcharger, Brawn, Cliffjumper, Gears, Warpath, and Powerglide, foreman Huffer, geologist Beachcomber, and communications expert Blaster and his cassette forces. Optimus addresses the team, "My fellow Autobots we are being tasked with saving our planet Cybertron by reaching out to the stars to restore Cybertron to its Golden Age. Thank you for joining me on this quest, our species existence depends on it. Prowl ready the shuttle for launch." On those words the Autobots take their positions and the giant space shuttle known as the Ark takes its first flight. As the Ark, leaves Ultra Magnus mutters, "Good luck old friend", as he watches the Ark leave Cybertron maybe for good. As the Autobot Shuttle races towards Earth the Decepticon Shuttle also launches.